The RVU Clinical Ultrasound curriculum integrates the use of ultrasound into all levels of education for students.

Year I

First-year students have ultrasound sessions aligned with their teaching in Principles of Clinical Medicine. In addition clinical integration occurs with ultrasound added into standard patient scenario at the end of the first year.

Sessions Include:

• Ultrasound Introduction and Knobology
• Head & Neck Ultrasound
• Cardiac & Pulmonary Ultrasound
• Abdominal Ultrasound
• Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

Year II

Second-year students continue with ultrasound sessions aligned with their teaching in Principles of Clinical Medicine. Their competency exams have ultrasound component.  Clinical integration occurs with ultrasound added into standard patient scenarios throughout the year.

Sessions Include:

• Review and Vascular Ultrasound
• Cardiac review and eFAST
• RUSH/ Resuscitative Ultrasound
• GI/GU Ultrasound
• Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
• Procedural Workshop

Year III and IV

Third and fourth year students have the opportunity to attend training in ultrasound activities through rotations and preparatory classes for rotations. In addition elective experiences are being planned.

There are ultrasound clubs on both the Colorado and Utah campuses.  Clubs are very active and hold events including workshops in diagnostic and procedural ultrasound. In addition, other clubs routinely add ultrasound components including EM Club, PM&R Club, Sports Medicine Club, OBGYN Club and others. The Ultrasound Club is in charge of promoting the “Scan of the Month” competition and facilitating students making an eportfolio of their ultrasound images. The Ultrasound Club also organizes Ultrafest.

Ultrafest is a day celebrating ultrasound skills. There is a team based competition of skills finding structures, workshops on specific procedures and diagnostic skills and a chance to present research and scholarly activity in ultrasound. It is held each spring. 

There are multiple research projects happening and opportunities to get involved for students. 

Current/Upcoming Projects

• Ultrasound Consults on sports medicine topics for upcoming book
• Evaluation of a Practical Skills Checklist of Point of Care Ultrasound Skills on Medical Student Education
• Medical Student Perceptions of Using Standardized Patients to add Clinical Integration Component of Point of Care Ultrasound Education
• Using simulation equipment with ultrasound to integrate procedures into medical student curriculum in emergency medicine and surgery
• Ultrasound procedures with models in simulation for clinical integration of OBGYN diagnostic and procedural usage
• Submissions to help create library of abnormal findings in MSK ultrasound
• Case based presentations on various conditions at local and national conferences

Recent Ultrasound Publications and Scholarly Activity

“A De-Gloving Injury” Petro, Robert, Vidlock Kathryn, AMSSM National Conference April 17 2019

Schroeder, A. N., Amin, I., Bowen, B. J., Callender, S. S., Ferderber, M., Kerr, H. A., Phillips, S. F., Romero, J. M., Rudolph, L., Vidlock, K., Waterbrook, A. L., & Kruse, R. C. (2023). Implementing a Sports Ultrasound Curriculum in Undergraduate Medical Education. Current sports medicine reports, 22(9), 328–335.

Watch Dr. Vidlock give a lecture for the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine on extensor pollicus longus rupture and dorsal wrist ultrasound Extensor Pollicus Longus Rupture with Dr. Kathy Vidlock Granley | AMSSM Sports US Case Presentation

Maher, Colleen D.O., Klomp, Austin D.O., Vidlock Kathryn M.D. An Underdiagnosed Etiology Lateral Ankle Pain in a Female Runner, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine National Conference April 2023

Kingsley Lisa, D.O., Christnovich, Brandon, Vidlock Kathryn M.D.” A De-gloving injury in a unique location” American Medical Society for Sports Medicine National Conference April 2023

Jones, Michael D.O., Kathryn Vidlock M.D.“An Unusual Treatment for Hypermobility of the Cubital Tunnel Retinaculum”  American Medical Society for Sports Medicine National Conference April 10, 2022

Imaging in rural and underserved regions can be difficult and with our global health expereinces we bring portable ultrasound. This allows for extra experiences scanning for students as well as research and case report opportunities.